Practice putting apparatus



Sept. 16, 1969 w, sc o ET AL 3,467,389

PRACTICE PUTTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 12, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 16, 1969 w, SCHQL|N ET AL 3,467,389

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54 1 206 250776" 48 70 8 1%fl0ZJWS0150/222 l r EPdE/S/Z United States Patent 3,467,389 PRACTICE PUTTING APPARATUS Harold W. Scholin, Park Ridge, and Holger E. Pedersen, Chicago, Ill., assignors, by mesne assignments, to World Golf Industries, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 600,967 Int. Cl. A63b 57/00, 69/36 US. Cl. 273179 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A practice putting device has a housing and a swingably mounted target plate. When a putted ball strikes the target, the target is moved inwardly to close a switch to energize a solenoid serving to drive the target outwardly to return the ball. A suction cup is compressed between the housing and target when the target is driven outwardly and prevents reoperation of the switch. A bleed opening in the body of the suction cup provides controlled release of suction. An adjustable stop limits the movement of the target and allows balls putted too fast to rebound out of range of the target. An inertia absorbing device reduces rebound of putted balls. A weight straddles the solenoid to prevent movement of the housing.

The present invention relates to practice putting apparatus, and has for an object the provision of improved practice putting devices of the general type described and claimed in copending application Ser. No. 441,442 filed Mar. 22, 1965, now Patent No. 3,365,199, by Harold W. Scholin and Holger E. Pedersen.

The application discloses a practice putting device of the type effective to return to the putter golf balls properly putted against the device. The device includes a ball returning target plate movably mounted at the front of the device for movement in one direction when contacted by a ball putted along the surface. This target is also utilized to return the ball to the putter along the surface,

the target being moved in the other direction by a solenoid energized in response to movement of the target plate when the ball strikes it. The device disclosed in that copending application is effective to return balls putted with a speed such as would allow them to fall into a golf cup, but does not return balls putted so fast that they would jump over the golf cup. In addition that device includes means for preventing immediate successive reoperation of the ball returning solenoid thereby to prevent oscillation of and possible burn out of the solenoid winding.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved practice putting device having several improved features of construction, including novel means for mounting the solenoid, as well as a novel arrangement for mounting the solenoid armature and spring.

Another object is to provide improved means for preventing immediate successive operations of the ball returning solenoid.

A further object is to provide an improvement for adjusting the speed above which putted balls are not returned, whereby the device can be made to simulate fast greens or slow greens.

Another object is to provide novel inertia absorbing structure for reducing the speed of a putted ball before it rebounds from the device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a practice putting device including means for preventing premature deenergization of the solenoid winding before the ball return movement of the solenoid armature is completed.

Another object is to provide alternative embodiments of Patented Sept. 16, 1969 the invention provided with novel ball returning target assemblies including relatively movable members.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved means for properly positioning a practice putting device on a putting mat.

In brief, a practice putting device constructed in accordance with the present invention may comprise a housing having a ball returning target plate mounted for swinging movement about a horizontal axis near the front of the housing. When a putted ball strikes the target plate, the plate moves in one direction. Within the housing is mounted a solenoid winding and armature together with a switch which is effective to energize the solenoid winding in response to movement of the target in the one direction. Upon energization of the solenoid winding, the solenoid armature moves rapidly in a forward direction and strikes the target plate, causing it to return the ball in the direction of the putter.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, there is provided a novel arrangement for mounting the solenoid winding and armature within the housing. The housing includes spaced forward and rear vertical walls and there is provided an elongated tubular support extending between these walls. Each wall is provided with abutments for positioning the tubular support and for holding it in position between the walls. The solenoid winding is supported by and surrounds the tubular support for a portion of its axial length and the solenoid armature is slidably mounted within the tubular support for movement in a forward direction when the winding is energized. The forward one of the spaced walls is provided with an opening at the end of the tubular support through which the leading end of the solenoid armature extends to strike the target plate. In this manner, the entire assembly is conveniently supported upon a single elongated tubular support.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there is provided a novel arrangement preventing the force incident to armature operation from damaging the housing. The molded plastic housing includes a removable metal cover plate having a projection overlying the opening in the forward wall of the housing. The solenoid armature includes a body portion of a diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the tubular support, and a nose portion of reduced diameter. The projection on the cover plate is provided with an opening smaller than the body portion of the armature but large enough to allow projection of the nose portion therethrough. A spring surrounds the nose portion of the armature within the tubular support to urge the armature to its rest position at the rear of the housing. When the solenoid is energized, the armature moves rapidly forward, the nose portion striking the target plate to return the ball, and the projection on the cover plate provides a support for the spring during forward movement of the armature. Accordingly, the spring force is imparted to the cover plate, made of metal or other strong material, rather than to the more fragile housing.

Another feature of the invention resides in an improved arrangement for preventing immediate successive operations of the solenoid. The target plate and the housing are provided with interfacing surfaces, one smooth and non-porous, and the other supporting a flexible suction member engageable with the smooth surface when the target plate is moved to return the ball. The suction created prevents the target plate from immediately moving, as by rebound or the like, back to reenergize the solenoid. A small bleed opening is provided in the body of the suction member to release this suction after a predetermined period of time. The bleed opening provides an effective and accurate method of releasing the suction after the desired period of time has elapsed.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, it is possible to adjust the practice putting device to change the speed below which a ball is returned by the device and above which a ball rebounds only a short distance rather than being returned. When a putted ball strikes the target plate, the ball and the target plate move toward the housing. As this movement takes place, a control switch is closed and energizes the solenoid winding. At this time, the solenoid armature commences to be accelerated by the magnetic field established by the winding. After a predetermined time, the now rapidly moving solenoid armature strikes the target plate and moves it sharply forward through a predetermined range of movement. If the putted ball is within this range of movement, it is rapidly returned in the direction of the putter. If, on the other hand, the putted ball has rebounded out of this range of movement, it is not returned by the device. The time required for a putted ball to rebound from the device depends upon the speed of the putted ball and the distance which the ball must travel.

In accordance with this feature of the invention, there is provided an adjustable stop determining the distance the ball travels before it rebounds out of range. This stop comprises an element adjustably mounted upon the housing in the path of the target plate. When the target plate and ball strike the stop, the ball immediately begins to rebound away from the device. The stop may be adjusted to alter the distance a ball must travel before it rebounds, and thus the device may be adjusted to simulate a slow green, in which relatively fast balls are returned, or a fast green in which relatively fast balls are not returned.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the practice putting device includes an arrangement for slowing down the putted ball before it begins to rebound, in order that balls putted with higher velocity are returned. This arrangement includes a movably mounted inertia absorbing element and means for transferring part of the impact of the ball to this element. When the ball strikes the practice putting device, some of its inertia is transferred to the inertia absorbing element and is transformed into movement of this element. Thus the ball moves more slowly and rebounds more slowly from the device.

Another aspect of the invention resides in the provision of means for preventing premature deenergization of the solenoid winding before the solenoid armature has completed its ball return movement. In known devices, when the solenoid armature is accelerated by the Winding, a reaction force is imparted to the ball return device. This reaction force can cause the housing of the ball return device to move slightly, and cause the fixed contact of the control switch to move away from the movable contact, resulting in premature opening of the switch before the armature has completed its movement. When this occurs, the solenoid armature does not achieve its desired velocity and the ball is not returned with the desired speed. In accordance with this feature of the invention, there is provided a weight fixed to the housing of the device for increasing the total mass of the device to such an extent that the device does not move appreciably in reaction to acceleration of the armature.

The practice putting device may be used with a putting mat having an upper putting surface, and having a hole simulating a golf cup in the surface. The device is provided with novel means for properly positioning the device so that the ball returning target is located a desired distance to the rear of the front edge of the opening. This means may be a wall formed on the housing of the putting surface and having a shape similar to the rear of the opening. With this arrangement the device may be easily positioned on the mat by lining up the wall on the housing with the opening. An alternative way of accomplishing the positioning of the device is to provide the mat with recesses for receiving feet on the putting device when the device is properly positioned.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, and as described in connection with alternative embodiments of the invention, the device may include a ball returning target assembly including a pair of members mounted for limited movement independently of one another. With this arrangement, a first member is struck by the putted ball and serves to close the solenoid energizing switch. The solenoid armature then strikes the second member and moves both the first and the second members forward to effect return of the ball. The actual contact against the ball may be made by the first or second member. In either case, the device is provided with means for preventing reoperation of the solenoid.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention appear from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, in the course of which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a practice putting device constructed in accordance with the invention together with part of a putting mat adapted for use with the device;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom view of the device, taken with the cover plate removed, better to illustrate the device;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partly schematic and partly diagrammatic representation of the operating circuit for the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating another alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-6, there is illustrated a practice putting device generally designated by the numeral 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The device 10 includes a housing 12 near the front of which a ball returning target plate 14 is suspended for swinging movement. When a golf ball is putted toward the device, it contacts the target plate 14 and the target plate swings inwardly to close the contacts of a control switch generally designated as 16 to operate a solenoid 18. The solenoid, as appears hereinafter, causes the target plate 14 rapidly to be propelled in the other direction in order to return the ball to the putter.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, there is provided a novel arrangement for supporting the solenoid 18 within the housing 12. The housing 12 is a unitary molded plastic structure defining an interior chamber 20 Within which the solenoid 18 is disposed. The housing 12 includes a forward wall 12:: located at the front of the housing and a rear wall 12b located near the rear of the housing at the other end of the interior chamber 20.

The entire structure of the solenoid 18 is supported on an elongated tubular support 22 formed of a rigid, nonmagnetic material such as cardboard and extending between and held by the walls 12a and 12b. In order to position and hold the front end of the tubular support 22, the wall 12a includes abutment means forming a generally U-shaped recess 24 in the rear surface thereof, this recess being shaped snugly to hold the end of the tubular support 22 (FIGS. 2 and 4). In a similar manner, the wall 12b is provided with abutments forming a somewhat U- shaped recess 26 for snugly receiving and positioning the rear end of the tubular support 22 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5). The tubular support 22 is thus held in position extending between the walls 12a and 12b substantially along a line between the front and rear of the housing 12.

In order to establish a magnetic field upon energization of the solenoid 18, there is provided a solenoid coil or winding 30 wrapped around and carried by the elongated support 22. The winding 30 surrounds the support 22 for only a portion of its axial length and is spaced from the walls 12a and 12b. The winding 30 is wound between a pair of end plates 32 and 34 also mounted upon the tubular support 22.

Mounted for axial sliding movement within the tubular support 22 is a solenoid armature 36 having a body portion 36a of a diameter very slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the support 22 whereby it is slidable therein. The armature also includes a nose portion 36b of reduced diameter. When the solenoid winding 30 is energized, the magnetic field established accelerates the armature 36 to move it from its illustrated rest or normal position in a forward direction to effect return of the ball. In order to allow the armature to extend from the housing 12 and strike the target plate 14, the forward wall 12a of the housing includes an opening 38 (FIGS. 2 and 4) through which the armature extends. Thus, in accordance with the invention, the entire structure of the solenoid 18 is supported by the elongated tubular support 22, which in turn is held by the opposed walls 12a and 12b of the housing.

In accordance 'with another feature of the invention, the construction of the device assures that the force incident to armature acceleration does not damage the housing 12. A cover plate 40 made of a strong material such as metal is held in place by screws 42 to close the housing 12. The cover plate includes an upwardly extending projection 40a received in the recess 24 in the wall 12a between the wall 12a and the forward edge of the tubular support 22 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The projection 40a is provided with an opening 44 large enough to allow the nose portion 36b of the armature to extend therethrough, but substantially smaller than the inside diameter of the tubular support 22. A spring 46 surrounds the nose portion 36b and extends between the projection 40a and the armature 36 for biasing the armature toward its illustrated rest position. When the solenoid 18 is energized, the armature moves rapidly forward, and the projection 40a of the cover plate 40 serves as a support for the spring. The cover plate 40, rather than the plastic housing 12, is subjected to the force imparted by the spring 46.

The housing includes an upper abutment 120 (FIG. 4) formed on the housing 12 for engaging the upper edges of the end plates 32 and 34. In assembly of the device 10, the various parts of the solenoid 18 are first assembled as a unit, and then slipped into the housing 12 until the end plates engage the abutments 120. When the cover plate 40 is attached, it engages the lower ends of the end plates 32 and 34 holding them in position between the cover plate 40 and the abutment 120. The armature 36 is provided with resilient bumpers 48, one of which engages a reinforced portion 12d of the housing 12 in the rest position of the armature 36.

In order to energize the solenoid winding 30 in response to movement of the target plate 14, the plate 14 includes an operating arm 14a extending rearwardly from the plate into a chamber 50 defined in part by walls 12e of the housing 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The operating switch 16 includes a fixed contact 1 611 fastened to a projection 12f of the housing 12, as well as a movable contact 16b carried on a flexible resilient arm 52 fastened to a projection 12g on one of the walls 12e. The flexible resilient arm 52 normally holds the switch 16 open with the contact 16b spaced from the fixed contact 1601. A power cord 54 passes through an opening in the rear of the casing 12, and enters the interior chamber through a recess 56 in the wall 12b. Thus, all of the exposed electrical elements associated with the device 10 are contained within the chamber 20 and are inaccessible from the exterior of the casing.

An operating pin 58 formed of nonconductive material is slidably received in an opening 61 through one of the walls 12:; and the projection 12g (FIG. 3). When the target plate 14 is moved toward the housing 12 by the impact of a putted ball, the plate 14, together with the operating arm 14a, rotates in a counterclockwise direction about a hinge pin 60 supporting the plate 14. The operating arm 14a moves the operating pin 58 in a rearward direction causing the movable switch contact 16b to move against the fixed contact 160. As appears in FIG. 6, this completes a circuit for energizing the solenoid winding 30, and the solenoid armature 36 is accelerated from the rest position in a forward direction. After a predetermined period of time, the nose portion 36b of the armature 36 passes through the openings 38 and 44 in the casing 12 and cover plate 40a and strikes the target plate 14, driving it outwardly of the housing for a predetermined distance to return the ball to the putter.

The operation of the device 10 is similar to the operation of the practice putting device disclosed in the above identified co-pending application in that if a ball is putted at the device with such a high speed that it would jump rather than sink into a golf cup, it is not returned by the device. More specifically, as a putted ball strikes the target plate 14, the plate 14 and the ball move toward the housing until they reach a stop, at which time the ball rebounds away from the housing. If a ball is putted too fast, it rebounds out of range of the plate 14 before the solenoid armature 36 strikes the plate 14. On the other hand, a slow ball remains within the range of the plate 14 and is returned.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the device 10 may be adjusted to simulate different green speeds or, in other words, may be adjusted to change the ball speed above which a ball is not returned and below which a ball is returned. Thus, there is provided an adjustable stop comprising a nut 62 threaded into the cover plate 40 in the region below the opening 44. The head of the nut 62 provides a rigid stop for the target plate 14 and the ball as they move rearwardly. The position of the stop can be adjusted by threading the nut further into or out of the cover plate 40' in order to vary the distance the ball must travel before it begins to rebound.

If the nut 62, for example, is threaded well into the cover plate, faster balls are returned because the ball has to travel a greater distance before it rebounds out of range. This adjustment simulates a slow green in which balls putted with a high speed drop into a golf cup. On the other hand, if the nut 62 is threaded farther out of the cover plate 40, faster balls are not returned since they travel a shorter distance before they rebound out of range. This simulates a fast green in which balls putted with a high velocity jump the golf cup.

In some instances, it may be desirable to provide means in addition to the adjustable stop 62 to assure that balls putted with a fast speed are returned. For this purpose, and in accordance with another feature of the invention, the device 10 is provided with a novel inertia or momentum absorbing assembly generally designated as 64 (FIG. 2) for slowing the ball before the target plate 14 strikes the stop 62. The inertia absorbing assembly includes a guideway 66 supported between the walls 12a and 12b of the housing 12 within which there is slidably mounted for axial movement an inertia absorbing member or slug 68. The slug 68 is normaly held toward the front of the housing by a light spring 70, and includes a nose portion 68a normally extending through an opening in the wall 12a to the region of the plate 14. The nose 68a extends beyond the adjustable stop 62, so that the plate 14 strikes the slug 68.

When a ball is putted toward the plate 14, the plate strikes the nose 68a of the inertia slug 68 with an impact causing the slug to rebound down the guideway 66. Some of the inertia or momentum of the ball is transferred to the slug 68, with the result that the ball travels more slowly, and rebounds more slowly from the stop 62. As a result, faster balls are returned since they do not rebound as quickly out of the range of plate 14. The slug 68 is returned by the spring 70 down the guideway 66 to its normal position after the ball is returned.

The mass of the slug 68 determines how much a putted ball is slowed by the assembly 64. It is believed, for example, that if the slug 68 has a mass equal to the mass of a golf ball, the ball will be stopped completely. It has been found that in order to slow the ball, without stopping it entirely, the mass of the slug 68 should be somewhat less than the mass of a golf ball.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of improved means for preventing immediate successive operations of the solenoid 18. Having reference particularly to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the cover plate 40 includes a projection 40b extending upwardly in the region of the chamber 50 defined in part by the Walls 12e of the housing 12. The surface of the projection 40b is of smooth metal, and non-porous. A flexible suction member or suction cup 72 is carried by the operating arm 14a of the target plate 14. Normally, there is no suction within the cup 72, and the arm 14a is free to move with respect to the projection 40b of the cover plate. When the device is operated as described above by a ball striking the plate 14, the plate is rapidly driven in a forward direction, or clockwise direction around the pivot pin 60', in order to return the ball to the putter. This movement compresses the cup 72 between the arm 14a and the projection 40b so that a suction condition is created within the cup. This suction condition prevents the target plate 14 from again being moved to operate the switch 16 and energize the solenoid 18.

In order to release the suction from the cup 72 after a predetermined time after operation of the device, in order that the device may again be operated by putted ball, a bleed opening 74 (FIG. 3) is provided in the cup 72. Without the bleed opening 74, the suction would prevent reoperation of the device for a substantial period of time. However, the provision of the bleed opening 74 assures that after a predetermined time, accurately regulated by the size of the opening 74, the device may again be operated. This arrangement prevents rapidly repeated oscillatory operations of the solenoid 18, which might result from rebound of the target plate 14 in the absence of the suction cup 72. Such oscillatory operation can burn out the winding 30.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the device 10 includes means for preventing the operating switch 16 from being opened before the solenoid armature 36 has been completely accelerated through its range of movement. In proper operation of a device such as the device 10, the switch 16 should remain closed until the armature 36 has been accelerated and strikes the target plate 14 moving the operating arm 14a to allow the switch 16 to open. However, in some devices it has been found that the rapid acceleration of the armature 36 causes a reaction and moves the device slightly rearward. This has the effect of moving the housing, together with the fixed contact of the control switch, away from the movable contact, thus causing the switch to open prematurely. When this occurs, the armature is not accelerated to the desired extent, and as a result the ball is not returned with the desired velocity.

In order to overcome this disadvantage, the device 10 includes a weight 76 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) which is somewhat U-shaped in cross section. The Weight is held in position between the cover plate 40 and a projection 12/: at the top of the housing 12. The weight 76 should have a mass great enough to assure that the device 10 is not moved substantially rearwardly when the armature 36 is accelerated. In a device 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention, it has been found that the Weight 76 should at least be larger than the armature 36.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the device 10 may be used with a putting mat 78, and is so illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The mat 78 is illustrated in fragmentary form in the drawings, and

may comprise an elongated mat adapted to be placed over a floor or carpet or the like and formed of a material simulating the characteristics of a putting green. For example, the mat may comprise a layer of plastic foam. The mat includes an opening 80 near one end having a diameter of a golf cup in a putting green.

As explained in the above identified co-pending application, the device may be placed toward the rear of the opening 80, and when so placed is effective to return all balls which would drop into an actual golf cup. Balls which are putted with a very low velocity and just barely drop into the opening 80 are accelerated by the drop into the opening enough to contact the target plate 14 so that they are returned. In order properly to position the device 10 upon the mat 78 in relation to the opening 80, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 12 of the device 10 includes a wall portion 12i having a shape similar to the rear portion of the opening 80. When the wall portion 121' is lined up with the opening 80, the device is positioned in the proper position.

Another way of properly positioning the device is accomplished by providing the device with a plurality of feet 82, and providing the mat 78 with small recesses 84 positioned so that when the feet 82 are in the recesses 84, the device is properly positioned with respect to the opening 80. This arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

It should also be noted that the feet 82 are illustrated as being suction members. It has been found that if the feet 82 are positioned on a smooth surface and compressed so that a suction condition is created within the cups, the device 10 is prevented from moving in reaction to acceleration of the solenoid armature 36 and it may be possible to dispense with the weight 76 for preventing premature opening of the switch 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there are illustrated portions of practice putting devices designated, respectively, by the numerals 86 and 88, each comprising an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The devices 86 and 88 are similar in many features of their construction to the device 10 described in detail above. Accordingly, similar reference numerals are applied to similar portions of the devices.

Referring particularly to FIG. 7, the device 86 differs from the device 10 in that the single target plate is replaced by a target assembly generally designated as 90. The target assembly includes a first member 92, and a second member 94 pivotally supported by the pivot pin 60. The member 92 is pivotally suspended on a pin 95 carried by the member 94, and includes an operating arm 92a extending into the housing for operating the control switch.

When a ball is putted toward the device 86, it strikes the member 92 and causes the arm 92a to move to close the switch and energize the solenoid, as explained above. Subsequently, the solenoid armature strikes the member 94 causing it to move outwardly and return the ball. The members 92 and 94 are mounted for limited movement with respect to one another, and when the member 94 is moved by the solenoid armature, it engages a portion 92b of the member 92 and causes it to move outwardly as well. As a result, the suction cup 72 is compressed against the projection 40a preventing immediate reoperation of the switch 16 and reenergization of the solenoid 18.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the device 88 includes a target assembly generally designated as 96 and including a first member 98 and a second member 100 pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 60. The member 98 is pivotally mounted upon a pin 102 carried by the second member 100. The member 98 includes an operating arm 98a effective to operate the switch 16 and energize the solenoid 18 when moved rearwardly. When a ball is putted against the device 88, the member 98 is moved rearwardly and the operating arm energizes the solenoid causing the solenoid armature to move forwardly to strike the member 100, which in turn strikes the member 98 causing both members to move outwardly, whereupon the member 98 returns the ball to the putter. When this occurs, the suction member 72 carried by the arm 98a is compressed against the projection 40b of the cover plate 40 preventing immediate reoperation of the switch 16 and reenergization of the solenoid 18.

While there have been illustrated and described illustrative embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that various other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the details of the described embodiments, except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Practice golf ball putting apparatus for returning a putted golf ball along a putting surface over which the ball is putted comprising:

a housing;

ball returning target means movably supported on said housing for movement toward and away from the housing and having a portion adapted to be disposed above the putting surface and in the path of a ball putted toward the housing, said target means being movable toward said housing by a ball putted toward the housing and engaging the target means;

switch means;

overtravel means operatively connected to said target means for operating said switch means at a predetermined point in the movement of said target means toward the housing without preventing further movement of the ball and target means toward the housing;

actuating means mounted within said housing and responsive to operation of said switch means for forceably driving said target means away from the housing, said actuating means being characterized by a time delay in operation between the time said switch means is operated and the time said target means is driven away from the housing;

stop means mounted on said housing in the path of movement of said target means toward said housing, said stop means being engageable by said target means after operation of said switch means, said stop means being rigid so that a putted ball may rebound from said target means upon engagement of said target means with said stop means;

and said stop means being adjustable to different positions thereby to determine the distance the target means may travel after operation of said switch means prior to engaging said stop means.

2. The practice gold ball putting apparatus of claim 1, said ball returning target means comprising a plate pivotally mounted on said housing.

3. The practice golf ball putting apparatus of claim 2, said housing including a cover plate, a threaded opening in said cover plate, and said stop means comprising a nut in said threaded opening and having a head in the path of said target plate.

4. The practice golf ball putting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a slug member having a predetermined mass movable by a putted golf ball, a guideway in said housing mounting said slug member for sliding movement, a spring normally holding said slug member in a rest position in said guideway, and said slug member including a portion engageable by said target means prior to engagement of said target means with said stop means so that inertia is transferred to said slug member.

5. The practice golf ball putting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flexible suction member engageable in slow releasing suction relation between said target means and said housing upon movement of said target means away from said housing, and ableed opening extending through the body of said flexible suction member for permitting the slow release of suction.

6. The practice golf ball putting apparatus of claim 1, said actuating means including a solenoid having a movable armature, and a weight having a mass at least as great as the mass of said armature, said weight being fixedly mounted with respect to said housing.

7. The practice golf ball putting apparatus of claim 1, said target means including first and second members mounted for movement with respect to said housing, said overtravel means being operatively connected to said first member.

8. Practice putting apparatus as claimed in claim 7, said first member being engageable with the ball to return the ball upon movement of said target means away from said housing.

9. Practice putting apparatus as claimed in claim 7, said second member being engageable with the ball to return the ball upon movement of said target means away from said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,689,476 10/ 1928 Brumder.

2,582,290 1/ 1952 Smith.

2,952,460 9/ 1960 Ellis 46-129 X 3,110,498 11/1963 Sheldon 273127 3,365,199 1/1968 Scholin et al.

GEORGE J. MARLO, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

